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Book Blurb
The Emperor is dead. Long live the Empire.
General Bordan has a lifetime of duty and sacrifice behind him in the service of the Empire. But with rebellion brewing in the countryside, and assassins, thieves and politicians vying for power in the city, it is all Bordan can do to protect the heir to the throne.
Apprentice Magician Kyron is assigned to the late Emperor's honour guard escorting his body on the long road back to the capital. Mistrusted and feared by his own people, even a magician's power may fail when enemies emerge from the forests, for whoever is in control of the Emperor's body, controls the succession.
Seven lives and seven deaths to seal the fate of the Empire.
Review
When I first heard about this book, I simply couldn't wait to get my hands on it. Lots of people in the same book circles as me were excited about it and the first reviews that I saw were all pretty glowing. So when I was able to get an advance copy from the publisher Rebellion, you could say I was a little pumped. It appeared to be just the type of epic fantasy that I enjoy, and so I settled in for what I hoped was going to be a fun and entertaining reading trip. I wasn't disappointed.
The story is told in a very cool manner as each chapter alternates between two main viewpoints: one the magician's apprentice Kyron, and the other loyal General of the Empire, Bordan. There are also mini-flashbacks that begin each chapter that count down from 10 years prior to a couple of years before the events that are currently taking place. All of this is done for a particular reason and starts to make sense with the overall story as you read further. Frankly, I loved this method of storytelling and it just made the experience that much better in my opinion.
As SEVEN DEATHS OF AN EMPIRE unfolds we see an empire somewhat in turmoil and uncertainty with the death of the long-reigning Emperor. Stability must be regained at all costs, for the risk of opportunistic enemies who would take advantage of the transition between rulers is both very real and potentially catastrophic. It is incumbent upon the main characters in the story to play their own part in service to the Empire, yet each have their own daunting challenges that confront them. One wields the weapon of magic (albeit raw and untested), while the other uses the force of military might. It is interesting to see the dichotomy between the two play out as tensions rise and danger looms.
This is a book that has a good deal of intrigue and political maneuvering in it, which I am a huge fan of. If done right, it can propel a standard fantasy tale into something much more engaging. And this one is done right. Matthews never spoon-feeds the reader and it seemed like I was always kept on my toes as one treacherous act is followed by another that I didn't see coming. Predictability is a big turn off for me but I'm happy to say that so many things happen in this book that made my jaw drop, especially in the final 100 pages or so.
The aspect that makes this book a cut above your normal fantasy read though is the growing anticipation of something transformative building as you turn the pages. There's a creeping sense of dread as the characters desperately try to hold on to some semblance of the status quo in the face of treachery and setbacks galore. Throw in the fact that many of the factions who are attempting to salvage the Empire don't really trust one another, and the task is an onerous one for sure.
SEVEN DEATHS OF AN EMPIRE is an excellent book that I recommend to anyone who loves their fantasy with loads of intrigue, deception, action, and magic. A fascinating book about what happens when a once powerful empire shows a brief moment of weakness, and in doing so, exposes its throat to predators both internal and external. This is a fantasy book that pulls no punches and keeps you ensnared in its clutches from start to finish. I can't wait to see what G.R. Matthews comes up with next. The book isn't officially out until June 22nd, but it can be preordered now to be delivered on release day.
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